RTÉ TV chapel established

27 April 2015

Another NUJ chapel has been established in RTÉ, the third to be set up at the Irish national broadcaster in less than a year.

The new RTÉ TV chapel held its first meeting recently and was organised by acting Mother of the Chapel, Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh. Members and non-members were invited to the meeting, where the work of the NUJ was explained by Bláthnaid, Cearbhall Ó Síocháin who is the Father of the Chapel at RTÉ Radio and union official Ian McGuinness.

Bláthnaid outlined the importance of a TV chapel, while Cearbhall explained the work he and his colleagues in the Radio chapel had undertaken since it was established late last year.

Just prior to the radio chapel’s establishment, a sports chapel was set up and a new RTÉ sub branch was inaugurated, chaired by Robert Shortt. There is a longstanding chapel in the RTÉ newsroom, but the three new chapels and the establishment of a sub branch show the union is becoming even more active at Montrose. The NUJ’s representatives there are not only organising and representing members but recruiting too.

More TV chapel meetings are planned soon and members are invited to bring forward any issues that need to be addressed on either a collective or individual basis.

Ian McGuinness, NUJ assistant organiser, said:

"This level of renewed activity in RTÉ is excellent news for the union and its members and is unprecedented in recent years. The establishment of three new chapels and the sub branch has been met with enthusiasm by our members, who are bringing even more of their problems to our attention. As ever, the NUJ’s officials will work with our committed representatives to attempt to solve these issues, create a better working environment for NUJ members and strengthen the union."